"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
-Leo Tolstoy

Friday, March 28, 2008

MANAGING GROWTH AT THE BIGGEST LITTLE CITY

Working with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), as a part of their Civic Engagement Project, I will be travelling around the Truckee Meadows working to educate the voters and residents of the area on two very important potential up-coming ballot questions.that impact Northern Nevada and the Truckee Meadows, the "Save our Water" And "Stop Leap Frog Development" campaigns. These are two potential up-coming ballot questions that the Alliance is currently involved in working to inform voters on. The 'Leapfrog development' question is an attempt to rein in a very aggressive annexation policy by the cities in the Truckee Meadows. A similar attempt was made to change the current law last year which failed. For example, Reno has moved from a cherry stem annexations, like Cold Springs and Verdi, to a non-contiguous annexation such as the Winnemucca Ranch area leapfrogging 25 miles north to the border of Pyramid Lake. This type of non-contiguous urban sprawl put unnecessary strain on public infrastructure and public safety resources and complicates jurisdiction and service issues. Successful passage of this initiative would not 'cap' growth, but merely 'manages' it in a reasonable and responsible way by encouraging developers to redevelop areas closer in and the burden and costs to exisiting residencent and voters would significantly decrease for road construction as well as for other public service and infrastructure under a more compact and responsible form of development. Paasage of this initiative would put the regional plan back in compliance with state annexation laws which forbid the cities to annex non-contiguously. What this ballot initiative refers to is "voluntary annexation" which is the type of annexation being used by the cities and developers to subvert the state law, by having a developer buy a ranch or property, and then asks the city for a "voluntary annexation." The very lifestyle that generations of Nevadans have been raised on, and brings people to our region is being threatened by out of control development and irresponsible management. Alan Weber, a noted columnist, visited our area and compared it to Portland and Denver. Weber lauded Portland, OR, as an example of controlled, sustainable growth, and derided Denver as a region where "a gorgeous state" with amble natural beauty "let sprawl and development override the beauty of open space and mountains." To the people of Reno and Sparks, Weber had this to say, "the Reno-Sparks area still has time to choose its direction."

In regard to the 'Save our Water' question, the current master plan for our area calls for 1.2 million residents, while we only have enough water for about 600 thousand residents. In Planning Principle #2 of the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan, it is recognized that our region is "resource constrained" and that water is one of the resources that is constrained. Again, this is not an attempt to stop or 'cap' growth, but again to manage it in a responsible manner. The Truckee Meadows Regional Plan water demand estimates exceed identified water resources by 120%. Washoe County Commissioner Bob Larkins at the Board of County Commissioner meeting held on 3/11/08 conceded that the Spanish Springs area is already "over-allocated" in terms of water needs and usage. The voters of Washoe County have a right to determine the future of the region. The irresponsible and unmanaged growth in Las Vegas has already put our state's and regions water supply at risk.

Lessons from LAS VEGAS -- Seting aside what happened to the Owens Valley, in this city of histrionic and runaway growth (in 2005), in the middle of a five-year drought, the worst in 100 years of record-keeping and perhaps -- tree rings suggest this -- the worst in 500 years, Las Vegas's water came mostly from Lake Mead -- which in 2005, was down to 59 percent of capacity -- and, upstream from Mead, Lake Powell, which was at 34 percent of capacity, its lowest since it started filling three decades before. The Colorad River doesn't even reach the Gulf of Mexico anymore. The lower course of the river, which forms the border between Baja California and Sonora, is essentially a trickle or a dry stream today due to use of the river as Imperial Valley's irrigation source. Prior to the mid 20th century, the Colorado River Delta provided a rich estuarine marshland that is now essentially desiccated, but nonetheless is an important ecological resource.

The Strip -- the portion of Las Vegas Boulevard that has 15 of the world's 20 largest hotels -- features vast fountains, a sea battle between pirate ships and an 8.5-acre lake in front of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. According to ABC News (April 2007) Las Vegas has become the fastest-growing city in the nation. Its population is currently 1.8 million, and is projected to hit 3 million by 2020. Las Vegas is a city with a ferocious thirst that it's having a hard time slaking. The major water supply for Las Vegas comes from the Colorado River, which has undergone a drought as a result of climate change, says Pat Mulroy, of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

"Climate change is here," Mulroy, the city's water czar for almost 20 years, says. "We've been living it for the last eight years. The drought on the Colorado River was a rude wake-up call. Frankly, when 90 percent of your water comes from one river that is predicted to have massive water shortages, you'd be irresponsible not to develop water supplies that are independent of that river system in order to diversify." The plan for diversification is controversial. Mulroy divised the controversial plan to build a $2 billion pipeline that would pump water out of White Pine County and send it down to feed the growing water needs of southern Nevada. Specifically, the Snake Valley, in White Pine County, Nev., straddling the Utah border. This area is home to cattle ranches, alfalfa farms and endangered species, it's people who are few and far between along this desert landscape. That's because the Snake Valley is dry -- one of the driest parts of the driest state in the union, getting only about 8 inches of rainfall every year.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority and its water "czar," Patricia Mulroy, seeks to tap 65 billion gallons of rural water a year with a 300-mile-long pipeline expected to cost more than $2 billion. That's enough water for 50,000 families a year. Las Vegas's unmanaged growth has now impacted other Nevadans, like Dean Baker and Cecil Garland, who both operate ranches in Utah and Nevada. But even the Water Czar could not avoid conceding "There isn't enough water to go around," Mulroy told NPR in a 1991 story about the early stages of the project. "And we're the most arid spot in the United States." Las Vegas, a city known for its excess, has exceeded not onlt its own surface and ground water sources, as well as the Colorado River, but now expect other Nevada communities and families to sacrifice their life styles and communities for the sake of unmanaged growth. "What Las Vegas has got to learn is that there are limits to its growth," Garland says. He also applies his own value judgment to the competing uses for water. "Gluttony, glitter girls and gambling are what [Las Vegas] is all about," the 81-year-old rancher asserts. "What it's all about here [in Snake Valley] is children, cattle, country and church."

It is quite simply reckless and irresponsible to implement any growth plan that ignores or fails to consider the availability of water in Washoe County, and to ask other communities in our state to pay far or shoulder the burden of our lack of responsible planning.

The research for this article was provided by the Progressive Leadership Alliance, by Howard Berkes of NPR, by Terry Moran and Katie Hinman, ABC News, and George F. Will of the Washington Post.

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Joaquin with Public Defender, Rich McCauley at the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation (2000)

Robert Kennedy once said it is not just bravery under fire or the bravery to make sacrifices, but the bravery to discard the comfort of illusion, to do away with false hopes and alluring promises. I believe this is a great nation and a great people. Any who seek to comfort rather than speak plainly, reassure rather than instruct, promise satisfaction rather than reveal frustration; they deny that greatness and drain that strength.

Printing Instructions

WARNING: DO NOT HIGHLIGHT AND PRINT BLOGS. You are free to copy blogs by Joaquin R Roces. To print, click first on article title (highlighted in orange), the selected article will then reappear on its own. Then you can print the article by using the print menu on your toolbar or navigator. If you print directly from the site, you will print the entire site (52+ pages).

From Algeria to Reno, culture to culture

By Geralda Miller • gmiller@rgj.com • August 16, 2009

FALLEN

Right where it belongs....

Right Where It Belongs by Nine Inch Nails

See the animal in his cage that you built-Are you sure what side you're on?Better not look him too closely in the eyeAre you sure what side of the glass you are on?See the safety of the life you have built;Everything where it belongs.Feel the hollowness inside of your heartAnd it's all...Right where it belongs...

What if everything around youIsn't quite as it seems?What if all the world you think you knowIs an elaborate dream?And if you look at your reflectionIs it all you want it to be?What if you could look right through the cracks?Would you find yourself...Find yourself afraid to see?

What if all the world's inside of your headAre just creations of your own?Your devils and your gods;All the living and the dead;And you're really all alone?You can live in this illusionor you can choose to believe.You keep looking but you can't find the woodsWhile you're hiding in the trees.

What if everything around youIsn't quite as it seems?What if all the world you used to knowIs an elaborate dream?And if you look at your reflectionIs it all you want it to be?What if you could look right through the cracksWould you find yourself...Find yourself afraid to see?

(Nine Inch Nails)

2009 Global Gala

Joaquin Roces with Mrs. Dawn Gibbons, Nevada's First Lady

Community Connections Delegation from Russia

Russian visitors at Pyramid Lake, NV (July 2008)

Shari'a Judges from Jordan, IVLP 2006

Joaquin coordinated a program for Jordanian judges. Pictured above the judges explore Tahoe's western shore on Nov. 11 2006

Joaquin escorted a delegation from Turkmenistan to San Francisco in 2006

Turkmen delegates were here to meet with US Road Safety officials. Joaquin arranged a cultural trip to San Francisco. Here delegates pose with a California surfer.

2008 Open World Delegation from Kazakhstan

Iranian Journalist and visiting Brookings Scholar speaks at University of Nevada Reno

Joaquin guides Najmeh Bozorgmehr around Virginia City (Sept 2006). Najmeh works for Financial Times in Tehran.

2007 Open World Program on Environmental Tourism

Joaquin facilitated a program involving tourism officials from Tajikistan. Here Joaquin is with the program facilitator, Marina Kadyrova, and tourism official, Bakhtiyor Hamdamov.

Tajik delegation visits Pyramid Lake

As part of their cultural experience in Reno, the visitors travelled to the Pyramid Indian Reservation.

Joaquin facilitated a program in which 9 Middle East Journalist covered the Nevada Caucus (Jan. 08)

Joaquin and his sons pose with Moroccan journalist, Amina Koundi, at the home of Washoe Co. Republican Party President Heidi Smith

Democratic Vice Chair, Alison Gaulden, speaks to Mid East press at the Nevada Caucus at Reno High

Alison explains the democratic side of the process. The journalists covered both Republican and Democratic caucuses. Local and international papers covered the event.

Turkish MPs meet with State Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert in 2006

The Turkish parliamentarians visit Nevada's capital and sit in on a legislative session.

Fehmi Oztunc, a Turkish parliamentarian and Khurd, enjoys a meal with Reno teen

Mr. Oztunc at a reception dinner with Joaquin's son, James.

NNIC hosts Sen. Joe Biden at the University of Nevada Reno's campus.

The senator and presidential candidate spoke at the University regarding the future of American foriegn policy. Here Sen. Biden poses with officers of UNR's Model UN Club.

Civic Engagement Project

Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada

Civic Engagement Volunteers

Kat Baltierra, Sydney Brown and Amanda Gabbert , TMCC High School seniors, Canvassed over 100 homes on May 3rd 2008 and two special events. To date our volunteers have collected 120 voter registrations and pledges to vote in the Novemeber Elctions. GREAT JOB Everyone!

County Commissioner attends community event

Pledges to vote in November 2008

Kat Baltierra, TMCC High School, Civic Engagement Volunteer

Kat, who is a senior in Ms. Gardner's class at TMCC High School, stated that people were very excited to see young people actively participating in our democratic process and added that people generally had a positive attitude towards the volunteers.

For election 08, youth voter turnout swells

"It's my future," said the young Las Vegas resident. "What I really don't understand is why there aren't more young people here because ... we are the ones who are going to have to live with the problems of the future." - csmonitor.com

To Contact Erik Holland: Erikreno@aol.com

Erik Holland, Voters for Responsible Growth

Erik Holland, with Voters for Responsible Growth, and former candidate for Mayor

Holland pointed out that the Spring Mountain development conflicts with the idea of concentrating growth close to existing development. There also was concern about the cost of providing police, fire and other services to Spring Mountain.

Washoe County Commissioner Bob Larkin

On 3/11/08 conceded that the Spanish Springs area is already "over-allocated" in terms of water needs and usage (qoute provided by PLAN). According to Reno Gazette Journal, Larkin was quoted that imported water would be needed there (Spanish Springs) eventually.

Water won't be shut off to customers of Panther Valley Water Users Association; RGJ Article 3/20/08

Panther Valley is an area in north Reno that is south of the North Virginia Street and U.S. 395 connection. Land uses in the area include both residential and industrial. It is estimated to use 50 million gallons of water. Back payments and allegations of theft almost cut off water services to this area earlier this year.

US Marine Lt. Col. Couch speaks out against torture

Lt. Col. Couch's prepared remarks to the ABA

See Lt. Col. V. Stuart Couch's prepared remarks1 to the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section, which on Friday presented him its Minister of Justice Award, given annually to a prosecutor for demonstrating exemplary legal ethics.

British Generals Criticize Rumsfeld

General could be demoted over Tillman death

FORMER SECRETARIES OF STATE ON THE BIDEN-GELB PLAN

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: "[T]he idea of the... constitution of Iraq [as] written, which allows for and mandates, in fact, a great deal of regional autonomy, is appropriate. I think there are certain central powers that a government needs. Some of it has to do with the oil revenue and various other parts. So without endorsing any plan, I do think reality here sets in that there will be regional autonomy."

[W]hen asked about Senator Biden's plan, I have said that, in fact, it is an attempt to keep the country together, which I do believe is what it is about. I'm just talking about in the long run what might happen that we do have to watch out for. But I think it is very clear from my reading of the plan that it is done in order to keep the country together. And I do think that is an essential point. [Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, January 31, 2007]

Former Secretary of State James Baker: "...I was and still am interested in the proposal that Senator Biden and Les Gelb put forward with respect to the idea that ultimately you may end up with three autonomous regions in Iraq, because I was worried that there are indications that that might be happening, in fact, on the ground anyway and, if it is, we ought to be prepared to try and manage the situation. So we have a sentence in our report that says, 'If events were to move irreversibly in this direction, the United States should manage the situation to ameliorate the humanitarian consequences, contain the violence and minimize regional stability." [Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, January 30, 2007]

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger: "I'm sympathetic to an outcome that permits large regional autonomy. In fact, I think it is very likely that this will emerge out of the conflict that we are now witnessing."

"If the Iraqis cannot solve the problems that have been described, I've told the Chairman privately, that I thought that this [a federal system in Iraq] was a possible outcome, and at the right moment we should work in the direction that will (inaudible) for maximum stability and for maximum chances of peace." [Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, January 31, 2007]

It is not about the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.

About Me

Joaquin is the grandson of former Congressman Joaquin "Titong" Roces of the Philippines. Grandpa was also a journalist for the Manila Times and served as a Consular General for the Philippine Consulate in Taiwan. Joaquin is also a senior at the University of Nevada Reno majoring in International Affairs with a focus on the Middle East. Joaquin studied French and Russian as well as Arabic. Joaquin also served as a US Marines from 1985-1988 when he was medically discharged for wounds received in the line of duty. He has traveled to the far east, north Africa and Europe. He is a writer and registered artist with the Sierra Arts Foundation, as well as a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets. He has written for the Reno Gazette Journal on Special Assignment. Joaquin has served his home state of Nevada in the public sector under the Governor's office and the Nevada Indian Commission. He has legal professional for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Northern Nevada's Indian Tribes from 1997-2007. He is a member of The Our Lady of Snows Parish and is active within his faith community. In 2008, he received the Thornton Peace Prize from the University of Nevada Reno.

Arizona

The show me your papers state

Arizona: The NEW "Show Me" state

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